Structural strip member for interior wall decoration



Feb. 7 1950 A. E. FRIDOLPH 2,496,910

STRUCTURAL STRIP MEMBER FOR INTERIOR WALL DECORATION Filed Feb. 3, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .25 )4 1/1/11 WW ///X //////41 fl l- M .1

INVENTOR. w/vfiif' fi ,Fk/am Feb. 7, 1950 A. E. FRIDOLPH 2,496,910

STRUCTURAL STRIP MEMBER FOR INTERIOR WALL DECORATION Filed Feb. 3, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l l INVENTOR 5 C I l; wwfrre tfk/aal Patented Feb. '7, 1950 STRUCTURAL STRIP MEMBER FOR INTERIOR WALL DECORATION Annette E. Fridolph, New York, N. Y.

Application February 3, 1948, Serial No.5,95'7

In Great Britain October 23, 1946 9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in structural strip members for the interior decoration of walls of vehicle bodies, such as passenger aircraft, railway car, automobiles, boats or the like, or for any wall structure of a house, omce, store, show-room, etc. for which a simple, inexpensive, light-weight and easily assembled means of interior decoration with fabrics may be desired.

- The interior wall of a vehicle body or other structure of the type mentioned typically comprises wall areas proper covered permanently with a finishing or surface material and adjacent window or other areas which it is desirable to border or cover by hangings such as curtains or the like. The surface materials and hangings for these areas ordinarily cannot be assembled, re-, furbished or replaced without structural changes or difficulties which require skilled workmanship and objectionable expenses and delays.

An object of this invention is to provide new structural strip members or trims for the decoration of such interior walls, whereby surface fabrics for the wall areas proper and hangings for the adjacent window or other recess areas may be retained releasably and ornamentally in contiguous relationship on the wall so that they can be easily assembled or disassembled to re furbish or alter their decorative qualities in a quick and economical manner.

According to this invention, I have provided long strip members or trims for mounting along boundaries between wall areas proper and window or other recess areas of interior walls, and these members each form a plurality of contiguous longitudinal channels to retain fabric wall coverings removably in contiguous relation over such respective areas of a wall. At least one of the channels is adapted releasably to clamp a portion of a surface fabric covering a wall area, while another is adapted to retain a hanging for a window area or the like in contiguous relation to the surface fabric. Thus, a decorative or protective surface fabric may be placed over a wall area so that a portion of this fabric extends within one of the channels, which may be termed a fabric channel, where the fabric is clamped releasably by engaging a long capping strip removably into this channel over the fabric; and a hanging or hangings for adjacent Windows or recesses and carrying suitable supportin elements may be received and retained, preferably in a slidable manner, in a contiguous channel of the strip member, which may be termed a hanging channel or track.

The strip members are each composed of a base strip .integrally forming at least one hanging channel or track, and at least one contiguousfabric channel, together with a capping strip for each fabric channel which covers it and fits securely yet 'removably, preferably through a resilient or snap action, with opposing sides of this channel so as to clamp fabric within it where desired. The channel or track to retain the hanging or hangings comprises along diminutive recess within the base strip-and a narrower longitudinal slot from a face of that strip into the recess, so as to receive and hold the supporting elements of the hangingsin a slidable manner, and these elements preferably, are very small, individual headed sliders adapted to be held tiltably within the track, as disclosed in my United States Patent No. 2,412,608 of December 17, 1946 and my co-pending applications Serial Nos, 715,082, filed Nov. 9, 1946, 716,531 filed Dec. 16, 1946 and 734,409 filedMarch 13, 1947.

The fabric channel may be used to receive and mask nails, screws or other'fasteners securing the strip member .to a wall, and it may be used also as an enclosure to conduct electrical wiring or the like along the wall.

According to further embodiments, the strip member provides a central hanging channel or track flanked on both sides by fabric channels so that such a member mountedon a wall structure along and beyond a window line thereof may serve to retain surface fabrics releasably over the wall on both sides of th strip member and also to retain hangings wherever desired with respect to the windows or other areas of the wall.

Further according to this invention, a rail or beading for securing and supporting furnishing fabrics and the like may consist of a longitudinally channelled stripand a capping strip, one of which is adapted to be secured to a wall or the like surface, the capping strip being adapted for inter-locking engagement with the base strip with a fabric or the like therebetween, soas to hold the fabric in position and said base strip having at least one diminutive track formed therein to receive and hold slidable supporting elements of hangings dependent therefrom.-

The new strip members are made as long shapes of suitable structural material, such as wood, metal or plastics,- having substantially uniform cross-sections throughout their lengths and adapted for easy mounting upon the interior face of the wall structures. They preferably are extruded shapes of a light metal such as aluminum or magnesium, or of a suitable member of the group of structural. synthetic plastics, for example, a phenol-aldehyde resin or a vinyl polymer.

Where the wall structure to be covered includes wall areas on opposite sides of a window area or the like, the spaced boundaries between the respective wall areas and the window area may each be provided with a strip member of the character described. Channels in these strip members releasably retain surface fabrics for the respective adjacent wall areas, and one or more hangings for the window area may be suspended contiguously from a track in one of the strip members or between tracks in the spaced strip members.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, which refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front elevation of an interior portion of an aircraft body wall structure decorated with surface fabrics and hangings according to this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective and vertical cross-section, taken approximately at line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of an upper part of the structure in Fig. 2, with a hanging in the course of removal or replacement;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective and vertical cross-section of another form of the strip member which retains surface fabrics on wall areas at both sides;

Fig, 5 is a perspective view of part of a strip member as used in Fig. 2, with the capping strip disposed away from the base strip;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of another form of strip member;

Fig. 7 is a cross-section showing the form of Fig. 6 in assembled position retaining a wall surface fabric; 7

Fig. 8 is a perspective and cross-sectional view of still another form of strip member, with the capping strip disposed away from the base strip;

Fig. 9 shows the form of Fig. 8 retaining a surface fabric; 7

Fig. 10 is a cross-section through a further form of the strip member; and

Fig. 11 is a cross-section through a form of strip member similar to that appearing in the assembly of Fig. 4.

Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate a still further modification of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, it illustrates a typical interior side wall structure of an aircraft cabin which includes a general window area I between upper and lower wall areas 2 and 3, and in many cases one or more lateral wall areas 4 may be in line with the window area I. In order to decorate the wall areas with surface fabrics and the window areas with curtains or like hangings according to this invention, a strip member ID may be mounted upon the wall surface along the boundary between the window and wall areas I and 2, respectively, and a similar strip member may be mounted similarly along the lower window line between area I and wall area 3. A surface fabric II is placed over the face of wall area 2 and retained by marginal portion Ila in a fabric channel I2 of strip member II], as described more particularly hereinafter, and ourtains or like hangings C for area I are retained in contiguous relation to the surface fabric I I by means of a track I4 of the same strip member I0, as also will be described in detail. In addition, a surface fabric I3 covering the lower wall area 3 is retained along its border by a fabric channel I2 in strip member 20, which serves also through its track I4 to retain the lower margins of hangings C in contiguous relation to fabric I3.

As seen in Fig. 2, the strip members I0 and 20 are alike in form but are disposed in opposite positions on the wall structure. Each member, corresponding to the form of Fig. 5, comprises a base strip 2| and a capping strip 33 covering the fabric channel I2 of the base strip. The base strip has a bottom 24 presenting a flat face 23 to be secured against the wall surface, and at least three longitudinal ribs 25, 26 and 2'! (Fig. 5) extend vertically from the bottom 24 in spaced relation to form the channels I2 and I4, the intermediate rib 26 constituting a side of both the fabric channel I2 and the track I4.

The ribs 25 and 26 have convergent top portions 25a and 26a spaced laterally apart and above the bottom 24, within which the longitudinal channel space or cavity of I2 extends to receive a marginal portion such as IIa of a fabric such as II, and/or to receive electric Wiring, such as W in Fig. 2, or the heads of screws, nails or other fastenings, as shown at F in Fig. 5, whereby the base strip is secured to the wall structure. These top portions 25a and 26a cooperate with complementary longitudinal ribs or projections 3I and 32 respectively on the under side of the capping strip 30, the body 33 of which is preferably extruded so as to have not only these underneath projections but also a substantially smooth face which is curved convexly in transverse direction. The capping strip 30 thus is made so that its ribs or projections 30 and 32 possess resilience and may be snapped into or out of fitting engagement with the top portions of the sides of the fabric channel I2, whereby the capping strip may cover this channel and clamp a fabric in it, or may mask wiring W or fasteners F within this channel when desired.

In the form of Fig. 5 the capping strip 30 has a lateral extension 34 which extends beyond the outer side 25 of the fabric channel nearly to the proximate longitudinal edge 23a of the bottom face 23 of the base strip. The fabric clamped in channel I2, as seen in Fig. 2, therefore is held by extension 34 in a position close to the surface of the Wall area 2, 3 or the like, which this fabric is to cover and decorate.

The rib 26 of base strip 2|, as above mentioned. forms one side of the track or hanging channel I4, the other side of which is formed by rib 21. This track consists of a longitudinal recess within the base strip between ribs 26 and 21 and a narrower longitudinal slot 28 defined by convergent top portions 26b and 21a respectively of these ribs. The slot 28 extends from a face of the base strip 2| into the recess of track I4, thus accommodating slidably the flat bands or body portions of sliders having small rigid rod-shaped heads to travel within the recess I4, with such sliders attached as supporting elements of a hanging C as seen in Fig. 2 or as disclosed more particularly in my patent applications aforementioned. Fig, 2 shows slider bands or body portions 35 extending through the track slot to the slider heads 36 within the track recess. The curtain C, for example, may be retained releasably in this manner by slipping the sliders into an open end of the track Id at an end of the strip member ID or 20, or if desired, the slot 28 (Fig. 5) may be formed with a lateral engagement 29 into the recess of track I4, through which enlargemad-c10 movements; the slider heads being of such length as to be r'novabl'e along the track- I4 and over enlargement 2S! without falling out of this aperture;

The form of construction illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 11 is adapte'd'to' retain surface fabrics 5i and 52incontiguous relation over areas of a wall 50 on both sides of the strip member and, in addition,. to retain one or more hangings in contiguous relation to the borders of these surface fabrics-wherever desired. The base strip 53 of this member hasspaced longitudinal ribs-54 and 55.:extending vertically from a medial portion of' its bottom to form the track or hanging channel l4, and longitudinal ribs 56 and 51 extend vertically from lateral edge portions of the bottom of the base strip so as to form with ribs 54 and 55, respectively, fabric channels l2a and l2b along both sides of the track M. A capping strip 58a, formed with suitable underneath projections. fits removably with convergent top portions of the ribs defining fabric channel 12a, in a manner similar to that already described, so as to retain a marginal portion of surface fabric 5| releasably clamped in this channel; and a similar capping strip 581) is provided for fabric channel H1).

The form of strip member illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig. '7 is similar to that of Figs. 2 and 5, except that between the outer rib 25c forming a side of the main fabric or masking channel (here denoted I20) and the proximate lateral edge 23a of the base strip, there is provided a longitudinal groove 31 in the base strip, into which groove a third longitudinal rib 38 on the capping strip 300 may extend so as to hold more securely the surface fabric portion llc clamped by this strip.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 illustrate a further modification in which the top portions 25d and 26d of ribs forming sides of the fabric channel l2d converge more closely together so as to provide a relatively narrow mouth 39 to receive a surface fabric and to retain removably the underneath projections 3ld and 32d respectively of a relatively narrow capping strip 30d which fits this channel.

The form illustrated in Fig. 10 is similar to that of Fig. 5, except in that the track or hanging channel Me is oriented 90 away from its position in the form of Fig. 5, so as to have its slot 28 open at a side face of the strip member, and in that the fabric channel l 26 and the capping strip 30s for this channel have somewhat modified forms similar to the forms in Fig. 11, as appears from inspection of Fig. 10.

The forms of construction so far described and illustrated have embodied a channelled strip member adapted to be secured directly to a wall or the like surface. In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 a capping strip 60 is secured to a wall or the like surface and has a longitudinally serrated flange 6| adapted for engagement in a slot formed in the upper surface of a hollow box-like strip member 62, so as not only to hold a wall surface fabric, but also to support strip member 62, which, as shown, embodies a diminutive track 63. Thus the arrangement shown in Figs. 12 and 13 is, in effect, an inversion. of the arrangement shown in the other figures of the drawings, to the extent that the capping strip supports the channelled strip.

It will be understood that various alterations and departures from details of the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings may be made in the use of the invention herein disclosed, which is intended to i be defined: by the appended claims.

I claim:

- 1.- Astructural strlp member for securing and 1 supporting interiordecorating fabrics, comprising a longitudinally channelled base strip and a capping stripmneof whichis securable to a surface, the cappin'gstrip beinginter'lockingly"engageablc with 'the base strip with a-fabric therebetween to hold thefabrio in'position and said base strip having'at least' one diminutive track formed therein to receive and support hangings de' pendent tnerefrom's 2; A' structural strip member for supporting-interiordecoratingfabrics, comprising a long base strip of substantially uniform crosssection, securable along a wall surface and provided with a plurality of contiguous longitudinal channels to retain wall surface coverings, at least one of said channels being a diminutive track receiving and slidably supporting elements of hangings for said wall, and at least one of said channels receiving a portion of a wall surface fabric contiguous to such hangings, and a long capping strip releasably clamping such fabric portion between sides of each fabric-receiving channel.

3. An interior decorating structure for a wall having an overlayed surface fabric having a marginal edge, said structure comprising a long recessed strip member mountable on the wall and consisting of a channelled strip and at least one removably interfitting capping strip, one of said strips being securable directly to the wall, said channelled strip having a plurality of contiguous longitudinal channels one of which receives the marginal edge of said fabric, said capping strip releasably holding said marginal portion in said one channel, and a diminutive track in said channelled strip to slidably support a hanging.

4. A structural strip member as described in claim 2, said base strip having a bottom securable against the wall surface, spaced longitudinal ribs extending perpendicularly from a medial portion of said bottom to form said track, and longitudinal ribs extending perpendicularly from lateral edge'portions of said bottom to form with the aforesaid ribs fabric channels along both sides of said track.

5. A structural strip member as described in claim 2, said base strip having a bottom securable against a wall surface, said channels opening at the front of said strip, said capping strip in its clamping position extending over said fabric channel and nearly to a longitudinal edge of said bottom to hold the fabric clamped in said channel close to said surface.

6. A structural strip member as described in claim 2, each fabric channel comprising spaced sides having convergent top portions spaced above the bottom of said base strip, and each capping strip having laterally spaced longitudinal resilient projections complementary to said top portions and having snap fitting engagement therewith.

'7. A structural strip member as described in claim 2, each fabric channel comprising spaced sides having convergent top portions spaced above the bottom of said base strip, and each capping strip comprising an extruded member having a substantially smooth face convexly curved in transverse direction, and having therebeneath laterally spaced longitudinal resilient projections complementary to said top portions securing and 7; snapping-into and out of fitting engagement; with the latter. 1

8. A structural strip member as described m claim 1, said capping strip being securable to a wall surface and said channelled strip being en gageable with the capping strip.

9. A structural member for securing an edge of a wall decorating fabric, comprising a base strip securable to a wall, substantially parallel flanges extending outwardly from said base-strip and lengthwise thereof and defining a channel receiving an edge of the fabric, a capping strip covering said channel, substantially parallel flanges on said capping strip having portions complemental to and interlockingly engageable with the flanges on said base strip with the fabric between one flange of the base strip and oneflange of the capping strip, at least one of said flanges being resiliently movable for'snap engagement of the complemental portions on said flanges of the capping and base strips.

ANNETTE E. FRIDOLPH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

